Bay Shore, NY — A tense standoff unfolded Tuesday afternoon in a Bay Shore neighborhood when police shot a man who allegedly threatened officers with a sword after falsely claiming to be holding hostages inside his home.
911 Call Sparked Immediate Police Response
According to Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, the incident began around 1:20 p.m., when 33-year-old Joseph Restaino called 911 and made alarming threats.
“He claims that he has hostages at the scene,” Catalina said during a press conference. “He claims that he’s going to commit violence, and possible suicide.”
Police arrived at the residence on Ohio Avenue, located between Massachusetts and Rhode Island Avenues, within four minutes of the emergency call.
Man Advanced on Officers With a Sword
Upon arrival, officers encountered Restaino at the front door.
“The sword was sheathed,” Commissioner Catalina explained. “He then takes it out. He’s told to drop the weapon before he unsheathes it and then again on a couple of occasions after he takes it out.”
After repeated verbal commands to disarm, officers first deployed a Taser, but when it failed to subdue him, they resorted to their firearms.
Multiple Shots Fired, Man Hospitalized
Restaino was struck multiple times by gunfire. Video captured by a neighbor showed him being transported from the scene by Brentwood EMS, with visible blood on his face and torso. He was immediately taken into surgery. As of now, his condition remains unknown, and no charges have been announced.
Witness Accounts: ‘It’s like, Bam! Bam!’
Several neighbors described the moments after the shooting:
- Kelvyn Velez, who lives nearby, said: “I see like three or four police running to the fence, and the next time I see the guy on the ground. That’s it.”
- Ana Romero, who lives just two houses down, added: “It’s really sad. I feel really sorry.”
Within minutes, the quiet neighborhood was swarmed by at least a dozen police vehicles and four ambulances, witnesses reported.
Officers Suffer Trauma, Ongoing Investigation
Police confirmed that responding officers were later treated for trauma and tinnitus. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives expected to remain at the scene through the evening.
This marks the second recent incident in Suffolk County in which officers were confronted by an armed individual. In a previous case, an officer was shot in the face, though he is expected to recover.
“We’re seeing more of these unpredictable and high-stress calls,” Catalina said, urging community members to seek help before situations escalate to violence.
Key Points from the Scene:
- The suspect called 911 himself, claiming to have hostages.
- Officers used non-lethal force first before firing their weapons.
- Multiple eyewitnesses described a massive and rapid police response.
As the investigation continues, police are asking anyone with additional information to come forward.
What do you think about how this situation was handled? Let us know in the comments.
